“Digestion starts long before the stomach gets involved.”
CIE 4 students explored the fascinating process of digestion that begins in the mouth. Using a simple experiment with a bread slice and iodine, they investigated how saliva breaks down starch into simpler sugars. The experiment showcased the enzymatic action of amylase in saliva, which plays a vital role in the initial phase of digestion.
As students chewed the bread and added iodine to it, they observed the initial blue-black color—indicating starch’s presence—gradually fading or disappearing as the starch broke down into sugars. This hands-on activity brought science to life, deepening their understanding of digestion in a fun and engaging way. It highlighted the importance of saliva as the first step in the journey of breaking down food!